Summer happens (sorry, did we say summer? We meant any kind of temperature above 12°C) and we all head for any patch of grass that will have us.

However delightful a picnic may be, we’re never been much for the planning. Tub of hummus, bag of carrot sticks, perhaps an antipasti selection pack if we’re lucky (funnily enough, we always seem on top of the booze) and we’re set.

Except everyone we’re with usually has the exact same idea and even the most hardcore of chickpea fans might get a little (whisper it) bored of 12 tubs of its pureed form every single time the sun’s out.

Here you’ll find sweet and savoury ideas for an al-fresco feast of delicious food and drink that looks and tastes great, but requires very little culinary skill.

For a tiny bit more effort than running to Lidl, you can whip up prosecco jellies, homemade cheese straws and various tart-based snacks guaranteed to elicit an “Oooh, fancy!” from your fellow picnic-goers.

Scroll through our gallery below, then go forth and eat, drink and be merry (aka fall into a pub slightly sunburned and drunk at 3pm).

Main image: Rex Features

9 easy picnic wins: the simple, yet impressive recipes to up your al-fresco game